October 28, 2015

FANTOMAS BLU-RAY

New release: While my fellow James Bond fans and I wait for the US premiere of SPECTRE, and in anticipation of daylight savings time, I'd like to turn back the clock- turn it way back to an important classic that's about to get a hi-def upgrade. Kino has announced an upcoming Blu-ray edition of the great Fantomas cliffhanger serials by Feuillade. Produced about 100 years ago, these films, along with the director's Judex and Les Vampires, established the template for future cinematic diabolical masterminds and crime thrillers. Kino's DVD set from a few years ago looked fantastic. The distributor has since released Les Vampires on Blu-ray and this remastered 5-film edition of Fantomas is a welcome hi-def addition to the collection. From the press release: "Based on the phenomenally popular French pulp novellas, Louis Feuillade's outrageous, ambitious Fantomas series became the gold standard of espionage serials in pre-WWI Europe, and laid the foundation for such immortal works as Feuillade's own Les Vampires and Fritz Lang's Dr. Mabuse films. René Navarre stars as the criminal lord of Paris, the master of disguise, the creeping assassin in black: Fantômas. Over the course of five feature films (which combined to form a 5 1/2-hour epic), Fantômas, along with his accomplices and mistresses, are pursued by the equally resourceful Inspector Juve (Edmund Bréon) and his friend, journalist Jerôme Fandor (Georges Melchior). The upcoming release is derived from Gaumont's 4K restoration, presented in association with Eclair Laboratories and the CNC, as a centennial celebration of Feuillade's timeless thriller. CONTENT: Fantômas in the Shadow of the Guillotine (1913, 54 Min.), Juve vs. Fantômas (1913, 62 Min.), The Murderous Corpse (1913, 90 Min.)Fantômas vs. Fantômas (1914, 60 Min.), The False Magistrate (1914, 71 Min.). SPECIAL FEATURES: Two audio commentaries by film historian David Kalat, Two rare Feuillade films: The Nativity (1910) and The Dwarf (1912), Louis Feuillade: Master of Many Forms, a ten-minute documentary, Gallery of Fantômas images." Available January 5th. Fantomas was resurrected a number of times through literature, film, and comics. Spy Vibers may best remember the character from the trilogy of French crime comedies in the 1960s starring Jean Marais. Order on Amazon. Related posts: Fantomas Design, Fantomas Comics 1, Fantomas Comics 2, Fantomas Citroen, Richard Sala Interview: Super Enigmatix, Les Vampires Blu-Ray, Adventures of Richard Sala: Interview, Spy Vibe's Diabolikal Pinterst, Spy Vibe's Feuillade Pinterst. Enjoy!

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Jason Whiton

Jason Whiton is an award-winning writer, artist, educator, and the creator of Spy Vibe, a website devoted to Cold War design and pop culture that has seen nearly three-million visitors. His publications include Rolling Stone, USA Weekend, & Mort Walker Conversations. His book Spy Vibe will be released in 2017. Whiton's work as a screenwriter and filmmaker has been recognized by the Nicholl Fellowships (Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences), PBS, and major film festivals and museums. His most recent piece is a music re-mix and award-winning film for Yoko Ono. Whiton's spy novel about a 1960s fashion model, MIKI ZERO, is out with agents. The story is inspired by his passion for Ian Fleming and the culture of Japan, where he lived for many years.
Jason loves creative projects & collaborations, and he enjoys helping young people to explore their lives as artists. He teaches Art in San Francisco.